Rage at UC Fee Hike in L.A., Berkeley Protests

LOS ANGELES - The UC regents are expected to put the final seal today on a hefty 32 percent tuition increase as students resume the protests that shut down their board meeting three times Wednesday and required campus police in riot gear to maintain calm.

Students, furious at the increase that will bring their yearly fees above $10,000 for the first time, rushed the UCLA building where the regents were meeting, throwing food, sticks and vinegar-soaked red bandannas meant to look like blood.

Posted in Education, privatization, protest

Privatizing Water System Could Be a Risky Move for Chicago

Mayor Richard Daley says any part of city government is up for grabs if the price is right.

But if he is tempted to dangle Chicago's vast water system as his next lease deal, he might want to first consult Atlanta, which is still smarting from a botched experiment with privatizing a big-city water supply.

Or the mayor could look someplace closer to home, like Bolingbrook, one of dozens of suburbs and downstate communities furious about steep rate increases imposed by a private water operator.

Posted in privatization, water

Corporations Badmouth Public Water

Things aren't looking pretty for drinking water these days. Recent articles from The New York Times and the Associated Press have exposed unchecked pollution, grave gaps in oversight, decaying infrastructure, and concerns about emerging contaminants.

Posted in bottled water, common good, pollution, privatization

What If Rush Limbaugh's House Was on Fire?

I wonder what Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Senator Jim DeMint, or the right-wing "tea party" crowd would say if they lived north of Los Angeles and their homes were threatened by wildfires.

Posted in privatization

Eshu’s Blues: Obama and Duncan’s “Race to the Top”

The Obama administration has announced its long anticipated education plan, and it has turned out to be the usual market crapshoot approach to public education which has long distinguished this country from every other.

Posted in Education, nclb, privatization

Canadians Back ‘Public Solutions' to Improve Care, Poll Finds

An overwhelming 86 per cent of Canadians favour “public solutions” for bolstering medicare, according to a new poll.

The survey, commissioned by the Canadian Health Coalition, is being released Wednesday as a pre-emptive strike.

Posted in healthcare, privatization, public option

Privatizing Fire Protection is Going to Burn

MONTEREY, Calif. - While New Englanders ponder just how soggy a summer this might be, Californians are bracing for another dangerously dry season, with high temperatures and increased risk of fire. Nationwide, there have already been over 41,000 wildfires this year - 10,000 more than the 10-year average.

Posted in privatization

Thirst for Profit: Corporate Control of Water in Latin America

The Corporate Crusade to Commodify Water

Posted in privatization, water, Latin America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2009
5:13 PM

CONTACT: CORE
Kenzo Shibata,Communications Secretary
312.296.0124 kenzo.shibata@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/coreteachers

Chicago Educators to Demonstrate Against Arne Duncan’s Visit Coalition of Education Activists to Warn Nation About Duncan’s Draconian 'Turnarounds'

CHICAGO - June 18 - On Friday, June 19th, 2009, the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE) will hold a demonstration against “turnarounds” and other policies promoted by current Secretary of Education Arne Duncan outside of the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Drive) from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM. Duncan is the guest of honor for a breakfast reception at the hotel sponsored by education policy group Advance Illinois. CORE will be holding a press conference at the demonstration at 9:15 AM.Updates from the demonstration will be available at www.twitter.com/coreteachers.

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CORE is the reform caucus of the Chicago Teachers Union that represents rank-and-file members. The group is composed of teachers, retired teachers, educational staff and other champions of public education who hope to democratize the Chicago Teachers Union and turn it into an organization that fights on behalf of its members and the students they teach.

Posted in Education, inequality, privatization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2009
1:29 PM

CONTACT: Food & Water Watch
Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch (202) 683-2500

Food & Water Watch Joins With Local Groups to Oppose Potential Privatization of Milwaukee’s Water System

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - June 15 - Food & Water Watch, a national consumer advocacy group, today joined forces with the Keep Public Our Water (KPOW) coalition at a rally at City Hall to call on the Milwaukee Common Council to pass a resolution permanently suspending the proposal to lease Milwaukee's Water Works and conclude its inquiry into privatizing the city's water system. Faced with budget pressures, the city of Milwaukee had been considering leasing its water utility to a private company for 75 to 99 years in return for a one-time payment of up to $550 million to $600 million dollars.

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Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer organization that works to ensure clean water and safe food. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.

Food & Water Watch Links:

Posted in privatization, water